Tallest Mountains in North Dakota

North Dakota isn’t exactly the first place people think of when they hear “mountains,” but the state’s high points offer some surprisingly rugged terrain. Most of the tallest peaks are located in the southwestern corner of the state, where the rolling prairies give way to the dramatic buttes and badlands of the Missouri Plateau. These “mountains” are actually erosional remnants—flat-topped buttes that stood firm while the surrounding land washed away over millions of years. If you’re looking for big sky views and some solid hiking without the alpine oxygen debt, these are the spots to hit.

Rank	Peak/Butte Name	Elevation (ft)	County	Notable Fact
1	White Butte	3,506′	Slope	The highest point in the state; named for the white bentonite clay that covers its slopes.
2	Black Butte	3,465′	Slope	A prominent landmark just a few miles away from the state high point.
3	Sentinel Butte	3,430′	Golden Valley	A massive, flat-topped butte that was a key navigation landmark for early settlers.
4	Bullion Butte	3,358′	Billings	One of the most massive buttes in the Little Missouri Badlands.
5	Camel Hump Butte	3,298′	Golden Valley	Distinctive shape visible for miles along the I-94 corridor.
6	Camels Hump	3,260′	Golden Valley	Part of the rugged “High Plains” terrain near the Montana border.
7	Whetstone Buttes	3,140′	Adams	Located in the far southern part of the state near the South Dakota line.
8	Pretty Butte	3,080′	Slope	Sits in the heart of the “Burning Coal Vein” region of the Badlands.
9	Killdeer Mountains	3,071′	Dunn	Technically two large buttes; the site of a major 1864 battle.
10	Medicine Pole Hills	2,830′	Bowman	High rolling hills with significant cultural history for the Plains tribes.